Chapter Five:
What clues help unlock the meaning of new words?
To unlock the meaning of a new word, first try to figure out the definition from the context of the
sentence and paragraph in which it is used. Next, look for a familiar root, prefix, or suffix in the
structure of the word itself. The following suggestions can help you unlock word meanings.
Use context clues: In some cases, words are defined directly in the sentences in which they
appear; in other instances, the sentences offer clues or hints that enable you to arrive indirectly at
the meaning of the word.
 Definition: The unknown word is defined within the sentence or paragraph. For example, the
hungry campers started to devour the pizzas after having been in the wilderness for the past
week, eagerly eating every crumb.
 Elaborating Details: Descriptive details suggest the meaning of the unknown word. For
example, the young man in the photo had a striking and gaunt appearance. His clothes hung
loosely on his thin body, as if he had not eaten in weeks.
 Elaborating Examples: An anecdote or example before or after the word suggests the
meaning. For example, after three days at sea, the fishermen were famished. They said they
could eat an entire whale if catching one were still allowed.
 Comparison: A similar situation suggests the meaning of the unknown word. For example,
before being offered a generous five-year contract, the quarterback underwent more scrutiny
than a fugitive being investigated by the FBI.
 Contrast: An opposite situation suggests the meaning of the unknown word. For example,
even though she appears indefatigable during the workday, she is generally exhausted by 6
p.m.

from Brenda Smith's The Reader's Handbook
Use word parts:
 Roots: The root is the stem or basic part of the word. The roots that we use are derived
primarily from Latin and Greek. For example, port is a root derived from Latin meaning "to
carry," as in the word porter.
 Prefixes: A prefix is a group of letters with a special meaning that is added to the beginning
of a word. For example, ex means "out of" and im means "into." Adding these two prefixes to
port gives two words that are opposite in meaning. Export means to "send something out of
the country" whereas import means "to bring something in."
 Suffixes: A suffix is a group of letters with a special meaning that is added to the end of a
word. A suffix can alter the meaning of a word as well as the way the word can be used in the
sentence. For example, the er in porter means "the person who" and makes the word into the
name of a person. On the other hand, adding able, which means "capable of," to port does
not change the meaning as much as it changes the way the word can be used in the sentence.
Some suffixes, therefore, have more meaning than others, but all alter the way the word can
be used in a sentence.
Chapter Five:
Prefixes I
PREFIX
A, an
MEANING
Without, not
Ab
Away from
Ambi, amphi
Both, around
Anti,contra, ob
Against
Bene, eu
Well, good
Bi, du, di
Two or twice
Cata, cath
Down, downward
Cent, hecto
Hundred
Con, com, syn
With, together
Dec,deca
Ten
Demi, hemi, semi
Half
Dia
Through
Dis,un
Not, opposite of
Dys
Ill, hard
Ex
Out,from
Hyper
Above, excessive
Hypo
Under
Il, im, in
Not
Im, in
In, into
inter
Between
MINIMUM THREE EXAMPLES
Chapter Five:
Figuring Out Words in Context—Prefixes I
Directions: Read the paragraph below. Afterwards, without using a dictionary give the definition of the
italicized words using the context clues. Also give the definition of the prefix used.
Once there was a ruler of a country who was asked to abdicate her position because she had
become unpopular with the people. A group of nobles interceded on her behalf arguing that she was a
very beneficent ruler and that the reasons given by those asking for her removal were illogical and
violated the sacred traditions of the country. They also argued that if she were removed, then anarchy
would sweep the land. Those who demanded that she step down congregated in the main square of the
capital and decided that if she would not willingly abdicate, then they would need to seek expel her but
they knew this would be very difficult because the country’s laws on the issue of abdication were
ambiguous and could therefore be manipulated by those sympathetic to the ruler. The people felt that not
only did they want to remove the ruler herself but also the dichotomous system of government that gave
only the ruler and the nobles any power or decision-making. They proposed more of a synthesis of power
between the upper as well as lower classes.
Define the prefix ab-:
What is meaning of abdicate:
Define the prefix con-:
What is meaning of congregated:
What context clues did you use:
What context clues did you use:
Define the prefix inter-:
What is meaning of interceded:
Define the prefix ex-:
What is meaning of expel:
What context clues did you use:
What context clues did you use:
Define the prefix bene-:
What is meaning of beneficent:
Define the prefix ambi-:
What is meaning of ambiguous:
What context clues did you use:
What context clues did you use:
Define the prefix il-:
What is meaning of illogical:
Define the prefix di-:
What is meaning of dichotomous:
What context clues did you use:
What context clues did you use:
Define the prefix a-:
What is meaning of anarchy:
Define the prefix syn-:
What is meaning of synthesis:
What context clues did you use:
What context clues did you use: